Just curious as to what you thought.
Here is a little background:
In May 2021 one of my colleagues got a full time remote job and said she was going to tell our boss that she would stay if they were able to match the offer. We never got an email saying my co-worker was leaving so I guessed that my boss matched it--full time remote and a pay increase.
When I asked my co-worker--she was very vague in her response. I just chalked it up to "I got it but I was told not to talk about it"...
However, ever since then my boss has been acting different. I knew my boss wasn't transparent but she has taken things to a whole new level.
The rest of us had to slowly go back to the office, but my boss never told us of the "deal"--ok I get that. There would be emails about "if you had an amendment..." this was in my mind secret code to my co-worker "hey this is you".
In the end, my boss never said publicly that my co-worker got full time remote. It's now just a thing that everyone has concluded. My full time remote colleague has become the favorite. Don't get me wrong, she is good at what she does. Her behavior has really changed since then. I just found out last week by accident in a zoom meeting when a higher up asked her if she was settling into being back in her home state. My colleague's face said it all. Many people have to sign off on this to make it happen.
In addition, we recently transferred to a new software system and before this I thought--I wonder if they will need my role down the road? Anyhow, I've started noticing that my some of my job roles are being weaned off my plate. We are a team of four. But my boss hasn't said anything--I've just started to notice that my other colleagues are doing some of the things I used to do.
In addition, we all had the opportunity to get a hybrid schedule. And so I applied to work from home on Fridays, but she said "I pulled the short straw..."--I felt this was a bit of public shaming because the email went out to the entire group. Not the first time she has done this. What was the kicker was that the newest member of our team who started in Jan 2021 was given Friday. My boss said it was all fair. I've been there since spring of 2016.
I've been extremely anxious about all of this. And unfortunately, I've noticed that my co-worker and boss tend to have a lot of meetings together. And the fibbing has become so thick one could cut it with a knife. I am looking for a new job. But my body is reacting to all the "mean girl" behavior.
Sorry in advanced if the story line seems to be a bit all over the place--stream of consciousness writing on this end. I don't think my boss would get reprimanded for having a favorite employee or not being transparent. And I understand that life isn't fair.
I'm just wondering what the professional HR women thought (a) the decreasing of job responsibilities and making my work place a little more toxic than usual and (b) the preferential treatment of one employee over others.
Is decreasing a person's responsibilities a sign--they make it so you leave on your own? This is unfamiliar territory to me.
I thank you in advance for your thoughts.
Time to polish up your resume and find the perfect job for YOU out there. It sounds like you are in a toxic place right now.
I agree with the consensus - duties are being reshuffled to prepare for your absence. But I get the impression that you have been paying a lot of attention to the situation with your co-worker and how it all worked out. When you asked your co-worker about the results of the negotiation, and then your boss started acting odd, clearly your co-worker shared that information with your boss. Then, I suspect, your boss expected you to try the same tactic and decided to get you out before she had to deal with another employee trying to negotiate a similar deal. She told your co-worker that her deal was confidential and not to be discussed. This is similar to employees sharing information about pay - it's the same scenario.
So - no, its not fair for this employee to receive preferential treatment and apparently, part of the stick she held was she was relocating. And honestly, didn't you ask your co-worker about the deal because you wondered if you might be able to negotiate something similar? Well, they picked up the signals and are trying to beat you to the punch. And as for HR supporting this unfairness willingly, #1 - no one knows the whole story. Your co-worker may have had family issues or caregiving issues. But your co-worker had the guts to take the initiative and find a new position as well as negotiate for a better work/life balance. You had the same opportunity. #2 - yes, employers have been called on the carpet penalizing employees for sharing pay information. But that's a slippery slope. In the current labor shortage, employers are having to sweeten their offers in order to compete in the marketplace and hire. That is simply a fact. So someone that is a new hire in this climate has more leverage, while you have been employed for 5 years and they don't expect you to leave. The market variables dictate the offerings.
Obviously there are conversations going on behind your back reassignment of your work and no communication with you by your manager and others on your team. Definitely dies look reassuring for you.
I would start looking for a new job.
I have not been in your situation, but the way you explain it does not automatically mean they are trying to "push you out". For instance, if others are starting to do the things you used to do it might be because they want to cross-train. I would definitely have a sit down with your boss to go over your key responsibilities, and talk about the impact of the new software, and see where you might grow and learn new things to help the team shine.
As for the co-worker who is fully remote now--welp, that seems inequitable. However, I assume that where you live is a right-to-work state, and the company can do whatever it pleases. Some people get special treatment, and it is not equitable, but that's how it goes.
If you've been there for 5 years, and you are not continuing to develop skills and move down a professional pathway that allows you to gain knowledge and skills and grow, it may be time to look for a role where you can take the next step in your professional development.
The key here is focusing on what you need to do to be valued and valuable, in my opinion.
Call a meeting with your boss to review job responsibilities as you realize with the new software, responsibilities are changing and you want to be proactive about new opportunities within the company. Or, if your perception of being driven out is eating you alive, leave. Find a place that values your work.
If it makes you feel any better I just took a position in April that was supposed to be remote. Now they’re saying I need to be in the office at least once a week “until we can go back to full time”. I have been working since I was 14 years old. I’m tired of these games corporations play. It sounds to me like there’s games afoot ma’am. I suggest looking for alternatives if the office mean girl nonsense keeps up.
Wow I’m reading this, I would think you were talking about me. I have been having jobs taken away from me as well. I have been actively looking. I would tend to agree, read the writing On the walls, look for a new job. Best of luck to you
Oh wow!!
I have had my responsibility decrease and then unemployed. The employer said they were helping me.
Helping me what? Go out the door????!
I think they are doing you wrong. I am glad you are looking for other opportunities!
Many companies are starting their 2022 fiscal budgets and that means either building in budgets for add headcount or reshuffling budgets due to anticipated loss of headcount. I think we will start seeing more posts like your of people being edged out of the roles. Since your workload is doing reduced and no one is sharing what is happening can only mean you're the one being let go.
Please understand that HR is supporting this plan and absolutely is playing an active role. It's what HR does.
Unfortunately you will be let go soon. I preparation they are fibbing to keep you in the dark to make it easier to time your exit and not have to deal with any push back. So get your resume updated and start your job search. You'll need to start looking after your future
None if this is surprising or out of the norm unfortunately. I'm sure most of the team is being given direction to start taking on your responsibilities and they've probably put 2 and 2 together if they haven't been told of the changes. HR is helping your boss handle your departure to minimize any fallout for the company.
So get things in order for your job search, make any doctors or dental appointments asap while your benefits are in place and start saving extra $ to help you cover your costs when this comes down the pike. Good luck.
HR's job is to minimize any fallout for the company. My VP of Human Resources says, "our job is to keep the company from being sued."
Funny, I figured out I was going to be laid off so I got my annual physical and labs a bit earlier than usual and squeezed in my dental cleaning and got my vision check and a new pair of glasses (my company had amazing benefits) and saved a bit extra. 60 days later I was let go. My boss was shocked that I had figured it out and therefore was not at all surprised.
Since I had already been interviewing, I accepted an offer 2 weeks later. It all worked out because I planned my exit strategy.